Bolts' tight end surprises everyone but himself

SAN DIEGO -- If Antonio Gates had looked at his situation
realistically, he might have said, "No chance."

After all, what are the odds of a college basketball player out
of Kent State University making the final cut in the NFL, much less
being a budding star in two years?

About the same as the Red Sox winning the World Series. Oops,
can't use that one anymore.

Nor can we say that Gates' idea of playing pro football is, to
quote "The Princess Bride's" witty little villain Vizzini,
"in-con-ceiv-able!"

The Chargers' tight end is now the darling of every fantasy
football leaguer who selected Gates with one of their late-round
picks. With 44 catches, 483 yards and three touchdowns in seven
games, Gates has already surpassed what he did in 15 games as a
rookie (24 catches, 389 yards and two touchdowns).

"He's one reason we have been successful," said general manager
A.J. Smith, whose Chargers face the Raiders Sunday at home.

Only a handful of athletes jump to pro football from college
basketball without having played college football. Colts tight end
Marcus Pollard is the only other man currently playing with the
same background; Pollard played college basketball at Bradley, but
wasn't on the Braves' football team.

So how confident was Gates in trying pro football, a sport he
had not played since high school?

"I felt I could contribute," Gates said after Thursday's
practice.

Gates had a little secret the rest of us didn't know: The man is
a terrific athlete who loves to compete.

"Football is like riding a bicycle," he said. "I was a little
rusty at first, but once you do it, it becomes familiar."

Don't think for a second that Gates is into self-praise. He's a
modest man who understands there is much work to do.

"There are a number of things I need to improve on, like reading
(defensive) coverages and blocking schemes," Gates said.

He's proving to be a speedy learner.

"Yes, I'm surprised that he is improving so quickly," Smith
said. "But, boy, he is talented."

The one thing Chargers coaches did not have to do with Gates is
rid him of any bad fundamental habits -- he didn't have any.

With Gates serving as a dominating tight end -- not to mention
the addition of wide receiver Keenan McCardell and the presence of
running back LaDainian Tomlinson -- the Chargers' offense is
beginning to look formidable.

At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Gates has the speed to outrun a
linebacker and the size to outmuscle most cornerbacks and
safeties.

"The big thing that he has is separation quickness," Smith said.
"He can pull away from a defender, and that provides a larger
window for the quarterback. He (Gates) can catch the ball in
traffic, but he can get separation."

Gates' migration to San Diego was not a direct flight.

A graduate of Detroit's Central High, Gates was an all-state
basketball player who wanted to play both football and basketball
at Michigan State. But once at Michigan State, he was told he could
not play basketball, so Gates transferred to Eastern Michigan and
played basketball for a year.